Buoyant generator

ABSTRACT

A buoyancy means and apparatus for providing near friction free operation of rotational devices, particularly electric generators and or turbines. This feature is critical in ocean energy projects where the amount of kinetic energy to be harvested is less than optimal. Flotation devices are affixed to rotational devices and submerged into a heavy fluid encased within a chamber that does not interfere with the normal operation of the said rotational device. Vibration is also reduced, allowing for more precise operation and a longer life cycle for moving parts.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS:

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent applications:

Ser. No. 60/657,507, filed Feb. 28, 2005 by the present inventor,

Ser. No. 60/694,503, filed Jun. 27, 2005 by the present inventor,

Ser. No. 60/700,421, filed Jul. 18, 2005 by the present inventor,

Ser. No. 60/702,792, filed Jul. 26, 2005 by the present inventor,

Ser. No. 60/714,711, filed Sep. 6, 2005 by the present inventor.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

None.

SEQUENCE LISTING

None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION—FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention generally relates to hydroelectric power plants, specifically to electric generators, turbines, and electric motors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION—PRIOR ART

The shortcomings of most previously proposed offshore hydroelectric power plants are due to the limited amount of kinetic energy to be harvested from the ocean's currents and tides. Traditionally devices that generate or utilize rotational energy lose efficiency from friction. Hydrostatic bearings provide some relief, but fall short of entirely supporting rotors in electric power plants.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION—OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Accordingly, objects and advantages of the invention include efficiency gains realized by applying buoyancy devices to apparatus that rely on and or generate rotational energy. Buoyancy devices reduce the amount of friction, thus creating less drag than the use of bearings alone. An optimal micro surface can be achieved on the floatation devices by utilizing special coatings that provide a much better hydrodynamic profile. As a result, power plants may increase the size of the magnets they incorporate in their rotors, that will in turn, generate more electric current. Electric motors, pumps, and turbines all benefit from buoyancy devices.

This invention uses bearings, perhaps magnetic or hydrostatic, as placeholders rather than as a means to suspend the armatures of rotary devices.

Another advantage is vibration reduction, allowing for a more precise operation and a longer life cycle for moving parts.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.

SUMMARY

Standard electric generators, motors, and turbines lose valuable rotational energy as a result of gravity induced friction. This invention minimizes these effects by providing a means to suspend these devices in a bath of heavy fluid while still permitting the device to rotate freely. An optimal micro surface can be achieved on the floatation devices by utilizing special coatings that provide a much better hydrodynamic profile than bearings alone. Higher efficiencies from reduced friction allow for the use of larger magnets that generate more electric current.

Vibration is also reduced allowing for more precise operation and longer life cycles for moving parts.

The preferred embodiment, outlined below, consists of at least one inner tube shaped flotation device that may be made from: composite materials, aluminum, or a steel alloy, and securely fastened around or fabricated into an electric generator or a turbine.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a horizontally mounted electric generator that incorporates buoyancy devices.

FIG. 2 shows a vertically mounted electric generator that incorporates buoyancy devices.

FIG. 3 depicts a electric turbine that incorporates buoyancy devices.

FIG. 4 a illustrates a front view of an offshore electric power plant suitable for tidal applications. Buoyancy devices are attached to the turbine as well as the two electric generators. FIGS. 4 b and 4 c are side views of a Hollow Turbine with directional funnels.

FIG. 5 is an illustration for both an electric generator and an electric pump that incorporates buoyancy devices.

FIG. 6 depicts an electric motor that incorporates buoyancy devices.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

1 Buoyant Generator

2 center shaft

3 axis of rotation

4 buoyancy means

5 flotation chamber

6 rotor

7 stator

8 bearing means

9 rotational energy connecting element

10 turbine

11 Hollow Turbine™ Ser. No. 10/885,876, filed Jul. 6, 2004

12 Hollow Generator™ Ser. No. 60/674,952, filed Apr. 25, 2005

13 electric current input

14 motor brush, electric conductor

15 communicator—armature/motor brush connector

16 electric conductor

17 support structure

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—PREFERRED EMBODIMENT—FIG 1

FIG. 1 shows buoyancy devices 4, similar in shape to a tire's inner tube, affixed around the center shaft 2 located at the axis of rotation 3 of a horizontally mounted electric generator rotor 6 and stator 7, in between the outer bearing means 8. The buoyancy devices 4 float on a heavy liquid in chambers 5 located directly beneath said buoyancy devices 4 and positioned in such a manner as to not interfere with the operation of the rotor 6 and stator 7, and rotational energy connecting elements 9.

The buoyancy devices 4 may be hollow or contain a substance that is substantially light than the heavy fluid in the vessel 5. The optional shell of the buoyancy device 4 may be constructed from composite materials, aluminum or even a steel alloy. An optimal micro surface, not shown, can be achieved by utilizing special coatings, perhaps nano technology based, on the buoyancy devices providing a much better hydrodynamic profile.

The flotation chambers 5 may be embedded within the structure of the generating station or stand alone and contain fluids such as oil or mercury.

OPERATION—PREFERRED EMBODIMENT—FIG. 1

In FIG. 1 flotation chambers 5 are filled with a heavy fluid to a point at which the weight of the device 1 is minimized by the buoyancy of the flotation devices 4. Attached buoyancy devices 4 floating in vessels 5 exert upward pressure on the shaft 2 that reduces the load on bearings 8. This permits larger magnets to be installed on the rotor 6 that results in more electric current being generated in the stators 7. Rotational energy is applied to the shaft 2 from rotational energy connecting elements 9. The spinning shaft 2 exerts less pressure on the bearings 8 than the drag produced by the spinning flotation devices 4 in the flotation chambers 5.

Operation of the electric generator 1 is the same as in conventional power plants, where rotational energy is converted into electricity by alternating magnetic fields produced by the rotor 6 spinning adjacent to the stationary electric conductors 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENT—FIG. 2

FIG. 2 depicts a buoyancy device 4 similar in shape to a disk and affixed around the central shaft 2 located at the axis of rotation 3 of a vertically mounted electric generator comprising a rotor 6 and stator 7. The said buoyancy disk 4 is located on the shaft beneath the turbine 10 and above the bottom bearing 8. It could also be located above the turbine 10. The buoyancy device 4 floats inside the chamber 5 located directly beneath said buoyancy device 4. An optimal micro surface can be achieved by utilizing special coatings on the buoyancy device providing a much better hydrodynamic profile.

The buoyancy devices 4 may be hollow or be manufactured from a substance that is lighter than water. The shell of the buoyancy device 4 may be constructed from composite materials, aluminum or even a steel alloy.

The flotation chambers 5 may be embedded within the structure of the generating station or stand alone.

OPERATION—ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENT—FIG. 2

As seen in FIG. 2, a flotation chamber 5 is filled with a heavy fluid to a point at which the weight of device 1 is minimized by the buoyancy of flotation device 4. Attached buoyancy device 4 floating in vessel 5 exerts upward pressure on shaft 2 that reduces the load on lower bearing 8 that permits larger magnets to be installed on the rotor 6 resulting in more electric current being generated.

Operation of the electric generator 6 is the same as conventional power plants where rotational energy derived from a turbine 10 is converted into electricity by an alternating magnetic field generated by the rotor 6 adjacent to the stators 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENT—FIG. 3

FIG. 3 is a view of a Hollow Turbine 11 that is suspended by buoyancy devices 4 in floatation chambers 5. The buoyancy devices 4 are attached to the outer surface of the Hollow Turbine 11 at the outer sides of said turbine in between the rotary connecting element 9 and the outer ends of said turbine.

The buoyancy devices 4 are of the inner tube variety and may be hollow or contain a substance that is lighter than water. The shells of the buoyancy devices 4 may be constructed from composite materials, aluminum, or even a steel alloy. Again, an optimal micro surface can be achieved by utilizing special coatings on the floatation devices providing a much better hydrodynamic profile.

The flotation chambers 5 may be embedded within the structure of the generating station or stand alone.

OPERATION—ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENT—FIG. 3

Flotation chambers 5 are filled with a heavy fluid to a point at which the weight of the device 11 is minimized.

Operation of the Hollow Turbine 11 is the same as conventional hydraulic turbine installations where kinetic energy is captured from passing water and converted into rotational energy.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENT—FIGS. 4 a, 4 b, 4 c

FIG. 4 a is a cross-sectional view of an electric power plant that houses one Hollow Turbine 11 suspended by buoyancy means 4 in flotation chambers 5 and connected to rotors 6 by rotational energy connecting elements 9. Bearings 8 act as placeholders since the weight of the apparatus is mostly supported by the buoyancy means 4. Rotors 6 are affixed to the center shaft 2 that also accommodates flotation devices 4 and a rotational energy connecting element 9 that rotates freely on bearings 8. FIGS. 4 b and 4 c depict side views of a the Hollow Turbine as mounted within the power plant.

OPERATION—ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENT—FIG. 4

As in a typical hydroelectric power plant, moving water enters the turbine 11, in FIG. 4, and forces the turbine's blades to rotate on bearings 8. Rotational energy is transferred from the turbine 11 to the electric generator's rotors 6 on a shaft 2 via rotational energy connecting elements 9, generating electric current in the stators 7. Flotation devices 4, rotate with the rotors 6 on the shaft 2 and are submerged in a heavy fluid in flotation chambers 5. Attached buoyancy devices 4 floating in the vessels 5 exert upward pressure on the shaft 2 and turbine 11 that reduces the load on the bearings 8, which permits larger magnets to be installed on rotors 6 resulting in more electric current being generated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENT—FIG. 5

FIG. 5 illustrates a Hollow Generator 12 with attached buoyancy means 4 that are submerged in a heavy fluid in the chamber 5 and rotate on bearings 8. The same diagram and configuration applies for a Hollow Pump, Ser. No. 60/731,665, filed Oct. 31, 2005 by present inventor. Buoyancy devices for pumps means that less electricity is required for operation.

OPERATION—ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENT—FIG. 5

As in a typical hydroelectric power plant, moving water enters the turbine/generator 12 and forces the turbine's blades to rotate on bearings 8. Attached buoyancy devices 4 floating in the vessels 5 exert upward pressure on the Hollow Generator 12 thus reducing the load on bearings 8, which permits larger magnets to be installed. For a Hollow Pump electricity is applied to the device instead of being harvested from it.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENT—FIG. 6

FIG. 6 depicts an electric motor with a rotor 6 attached to a shaft 2, together with communicator 15, connecting elements 9, and flotation devices 4. The center shaft 2 is held in place by bearings 8. Motor brushes 14 are connected to the electric power source 13 and communicator 15. The communicator 15 is connected to the rotor 6 by electric conductors 16.

OPERATION—ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENT—FIG. 6

Applying electric power from input 13 to the rotor 6 produces a magnetic field that generates rotational energy in the shaft 2. Attached buoyancy devices 4 floating in the vessels 5 exert upward pressure on the shaft 2 that reduces the load on the bearings 8, which permits larger magnets to be installed on the rotor 6 resulting in more electric current being generated.

CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

The addition of buoyancy means to devices that rely on rotational energy increases efficiency and stability. Devices that will benefit include but are not limited to electric generators, motors, turbines, and pumps.

The above description contains many specificities; these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but as exemplifications of the presently preferred embodiments thereof Other ramifications and variations are possible within the teachings of the invention. Attaching an electric generator to an electric motor, where both incorporate a means of buoyancy to increase efficiency, for example, may result in a self-powered electric generator. 

1. Apparatus for increasing the efficiency of rotary devices comprising: a rotary device; at least one means for making said rotary device buoyant; whereby gravity induced friction on bearings is reduced or eliminated, resulting in a more efficient device.
 2. The rotary device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said rotary device is the rotor of an electric generator; whereby larger magnets may be utilized to increase the amount electric current generated.
 3. The rotary device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said rotary device is the rotor of an electric motor; whereby less electricity is required for operation.
 4. The rotary device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said rotary device is a turbine; whereby more rotational energy is harvested for use elsewhere.
 5. The rotary device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said rotary device is a pump; whereby less electric energy is required to operate.
 6. The means of buoyancy as claimed in claim 1 wherein said buoyancy means is a flotation device.
 7. The flotation device as claimed in claim 6 further comprising a coating to produce an optimal micro surface; whereby providing a much better hydrodynamic profile.
 8. The flotation device as claimed in claim 6 further comprising a matching receptacle capable of holding fluid.
 9. Method for increasing the efficiency of rotary devices, comprising: providing a rotary device; providing at least one means of making said rotary device buoyant; whereby the gravity induced friction on bearings is reduced or eliminated, resulting in a more efficient device.
 10. An electric power plant comprising: at least one turbine; at least one electric generator; a means of connecting said turbine to said electric generator; at least one means of making said electric generator buoyant; whereby providing a highly efficient means of producing electricity.
 11. The at least one turbine as claimed in claim 10 where said turbine further comprises at least one flotation device for said turbine; whereby providing a more efficient energy capture system.
 12. The flotation device as claimed in claim 11 further comprising a coating to produce an optimal micro surface; whereby providing a much better hydrodynamic profile.
 13. The means of making said electric generator buoyant as claimed in claim 10 wherein said buoyancy means is at least one flotation device and matching fluid filled receptacle.
 14. The flotation device as claimed in claim 13 further comprising a coating to produce an optimal micro surface; whereby providing a much better hydrodynamic profile. 